New class of installation vessels to handle 'super-sized' wind turbines

摘要

With sky-scraping heights of more than 270 m and blades 120 m in length, a new generation of powerful wind turbines will be the backbone of future offshore windfarm development. Offering improved efficiencies and lowering costs, these 12 MW behemoths are challenging the operational limits of the current fleet of offshore installation vessels. "Offshore installation vessels currently available on the market are facing increasing difficulties installing these types of turbines, due to their size and installation heights and the ever-increasing foundation dimensions and water depths," said Carl Heiremans, business development manager at Jan De Nul Group, Offshore Division. "At this moment several of these next-generation offshore wind turbines are being tested and the first sales have been made."